Rep. Fattah Announces Departure of Key Legislative Aide for Major State Department Post

Published 5:44 PM ET Sun, 11 Nov 2012
PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA-02) announced today that Dr. Nuku Ofori, the Congressman's Legislative Director, will leave the staff today to serve Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as the State Department's House Director of Legislative Affairs.

Dr. Ofori has served on Congressman Fattah's staff for 12 years. He earned a Ph.D. in sociology from American University in 2009, where he studied Global Trends and Macro Sociopolitical Military History. The Long Island native also holds a J.D. from Temple University's Beasley School of Law and received his B.A. in sociology and political science at Baylor University in 1996.

"I'm announcing Dr. Ofori's departure with mixed emotions. He has served the constituents of the Second District extremely well and provided me with top-level counsel," Fattah said. "Nuku has led the legislative team through a number of victories on behalf of working families and has served as our expert on international issues.

"His new position is a terrific opportunity to continue his career in public service, and it is no surprise," Fattah said. "His qualifications make him the right choice for such a senior position of public service to such an important agency at this critical time in history."

Dr. Ofori will be tasked with advocating for the Obama Administration's foreign policy agenda to the 435 Members of the House, as well as serving as a conduit between Members of Congress and senior-level officials at State.

"I humbly but enthusiastically seize the chance to utilize the same level of diplomacy and advocacy at the State Department as I have done on Capitol Hill – skills that I developed and honed under the guidance of Congressman Fattah," said Dr. Ofori. "I am truly grateful for the opportunity he provided me to serve as his Legislative Director."

Dr. Ofori joins a long list of Fattah staffers that have left the Congressional office to assume leadership positions in public service. Former Fattah staffers have gone on to serve as members of City Council, leaders in City Council, judges, leaders of non-profits, School Reform Commissioners, local Secretaries of Education, communication directors for the U.S. Senate Majority Leader and a President of Baltimore City Council, political consultants, and advocates for children and families.